The agreement, signed on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, seeks to advance digital literacy through the ongoing One Million Rwandan Coders initiative, which continues to equip Rwandans with ICT skills that boost their confidence and competitiveness in the job market.

At the heart of this partnership is a shared vision between Rwanda and ILO: ensuring that women and girls equally benefit from the growing opportunities in technology and innovation. This aligns with Rwanda’s broader effort to reduce the gender gap in technology access and to create jobs that leave no one behind.

By creating expanded opportunities for women and girls, the program is expected to accelerate Rwanda’s digital transformation, build a stronger workforce for the labor market, and promote gender equality.

MINICT reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging technology for inclusive socio-economic development by expanding access to education, empowering marginalized groups such as persons with disabilities, and fostering technology-driven job creation.

The agreement will also boost capacity-building, support the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) using technology, and increase training opportunities for persons with disabilities, ensuring that no one is excluded from Rwanda’s journey toward a sustainable digital economy.

ILO leadership emphasized: “This inclusive approach highlights Rwanda’s determination to use technology not only as a tool for economic recovery, but also as a pathway to social development. As a result, more citizens will access opportunities created by the digital economy.”

In addition, supporting SMEs through digital tools will drive innovation and job creation, helping Rwanda meet its target of creating at least 1.2 million jobs under the Second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).

This agreement builds on earlier cooperation between Rwanda and ILO launched in 2023, which focused on expanding access to digital skills and preparing young people for employment opportunities.

To further strengthen their partnership, both sides committed to working hand in hand to deliver digital solutions that will enable Rwandans to live and thrive in a secure, technology-driven future.